Wiscasset School Committee member Christopher Hart lightly chucked his cell phone away in the Aug. 11 committee meeting. He did it without a word and while maintaining his focus on the speaker, another Christopher, Wiscasset Middle High School Principal Chris Hennessey. Hennessey was talking about Maine’s cell phone ban WMHS and public schools statewide will be under.

Hennessey said he was confident “we’re going to be able to get off on the right foot with this, if we’re unified and very clear about what our expectations are.”

Vermont, where he was last a principal, already went through it, he said. 

“We were a year ahead of Maine, and I remember, there was a lot of concern: Are the kids gonna do this, are we gonna be able to do it? And it turned out to be a lot smoother than people anticipated.

"As long as we are tight, and consistent, fair, and kind of lead by example — that’s a key thing, when the adults do the same thing — we’re going to be OK.”

That's when Hart ditched his phone. He picked it up from the committee table where he was sitting and sent it to the side. 

Chair Tracey Whitney and others in WMHS’ library laughed.

Hennessey smiled and said, “Yeah, thanks. That's a sound I like to hear, cell phones flying out of pockets ... For folks in the community, board members, everybody, we all need to stand behind this (ban). It’s going to be tricky for some of our kids, for sure. It’s going to be tricky for some of our parents. And honestly, my experience is it might be a little tricky for some of our staff as well. So I want to come into it with a high degree of compassion and understanding about how dependent we are on these devices now as a society. 

"But we will be resolute, we’ll be strong, we’ll be fair, and we will get off on the right foot this first couple weeks. So be prepared, it’s going to be the big thing at the beginning of the year.”

An announcement from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kim Andersson at wiscassetschools.org states the state ban took effect Aug. 1, "and supports our ongoing commitment to creating safe, respectful, and focused learning environments for our school community. All Wiscasset schools will move to cell phone-free school days" starting day one, Aug. 31.

"This means that from arrival to dismissal, bell-to-bell, students will be expected to keep personal electronic devices silenced, out of sight, and unused throughout the school day. By limiting access to digital distractions, we are supporting improved academic focus and engagement, positive peer interactions and school connectedness, challenging social issues, and a more respectful, distraction-free environment for teaching and learning.

"This change ... reflects the best of what we want for our Wiscasset students: stronger focus, greater connection, and learning environments rooted in respect and care. We are proud to take this critical step along with the majority of districts across the state and are grateful for your partnership in making it successful," Andersson wrote.